NEW WEIGHT RESTRICTION ON HIGHWAY 15

A new year-round weight restriction on Highway 15 goes into effect midnight, May 4th.

The restriction applies to the section of Highway 15 between the junctions of Highways 9 and 16. Under the restriction, vehicles with a gross vehicle weight exceeding 8,000 kg (17,600 lbs) will be re-routed by signs to a designated truck route 3.2 km north of, and parallel to, Highway 15.

The new weight restriction is the result of an agreement between Saskatchewan Highways and Transportation and the Rural Municipalities of Saltcoats and Cana. The purpose of the agreement is to prevent damage to Highway 15, a Thin Membrane Surface (TMS) road, due to increased truck haul.

"This agreement allows us to maintain a paved, dust-free surface for cars and light trucks on Highway 15," Highways and Transportation Minister Mark Wartman said.

The RMs of Saltcoats and Cana will have the authority to issue permits to landowners and truckers who have no other alternative than to use some portion of Highway No. 15 to get to an alternate municipal road. Weight restrictions will not apply to emergency vehicles, buses, recreational vehicles and highway maintenance equipment.

This year's Highways and Transportation budget allocates more than $296 million to maintain, build and improve the Saskatchewan transportation system. This is the second-highest highways budget in the province's history and fulfills government's three-year commitment to invest $900 million on highways and roads.

For more information about Saskatchewan Highways and Transportation, visit the web site at www.highways.gov.sk.ca.

-30-

For More Information, Contact:

Brian Cook Highways and Transportation Regina Phone: (306)787-2701 Email: bcook@highways.gov.sk.ca